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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive sustainable growth in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Fast-growing UK manufacturer transitioning into brand ownership and distribution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, company car, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a company with significant growth potential and strategic influence.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience with P&L accountability and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression to board-level with equity participation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
DerventioUK is recruiting on behalf of a fast-growing UK manufacturer transitioning from contract production into multi-channel brand ownership and distribution. This is a pivotal strategic hire designed to unlock the next phase of growth. This is not a maintenance role; it is a scale-up opportunity. The business is targeting revenue growth from circa £3m to £710m over the next 35 years, diversifying into wellness, personal care and contract bottling while strengthening pricing discipline, margin performance and commercial forecasting.
If you are a commercially driven leader who thrives in SME environments and enjoys building structured growth engines, this could be the opportunity to shape a company’s next chapter.
The Role
You will take full ownership of the commercial function, with P&L accountability and responsibility for driving sustainable, profitable growth.
Key Objectives (First 6-12 Months)
- Develop a credible 3-year commercial growth strategy
- Implement structured account segmentation and pricing architecture
- Deliver measurable gross margin improvement
- Strengthen UK, Ireland and selected EU pipelines
- Embed structured forecasting integrated with operations
This role is central to revenue growth and strategic scaling.
Commercial Responsibilities
You will:
- Lead all major pricing negotiations, contracts, rebates and margin structures
- Own revenue forecasting and budgeting
- Improve gross margin through structured commercial discipline
- Optimise account mix and eliminate low-contribution SKUs
- Structure volume-based rebate and pricing models
- Manage regulatory and excise cost pass-through
Core KPIs
- Revenue growth (mid double-digit in early phase)
- Gross margin uplift
- Forecast accuracy
- New account acquisition
- Account retention
- Working capital impact
Leadership & Team
You will manage a commercial team of 6, including marketing, account management, business development, procurement and systems. This is a hybrid strategic and hands-on role. You must be capable of high-level planning while personally leading key negotiations. The culture rewards ownership, data-led decision-making and accountability.
Location: Primarily remote with required presence in Belfast every few weeks.
Sales & Business Development Focus
This role requires strong commercial DNA. You will accelerate growth across:
- Own brand portfolio
- Contract manufacturing
- Retail distribution
- Export markets
- Wellness and personal care sectors
- Private label / contract bottling
Year one split is roughly 50% account growth and 50% new business development, becoming increasingly strategic over time.
Company Context
- Established manufacturer with strong technical and regulatory credibility
- Transitioning into brand ownership and expanded distribution
- Clear growth runway
- Direct board exposure
- Genuine strategic influence
- Potential long-term equity upside
This is an SME environment: agile, ambitious and execution-focused.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Senior commercial leadership background
- Full P&L accountability
- Strong negotiation and contract structuring capability
- Proven revenue scaling within SME environments
- Demonstrable margin improvement track record
Desirable
- FMCG / Consumer Goods / Manufacturing
- Regulated sectors
- Retail distribution exposure
- International markets
Skills
- CRM discipline
- ERP familiarity (Unleashed or similar advantageous)
- Advanced Excel and forecasting
- Data-driven commercial decision-making
Personal Attributes
- Confident decision-maker
- Direct communicator
- Commercially competitive
- Comfortable with ambiguity
- High ownership mentality
Package
- £70,000 basic salary
- Up to £75,000 for exceptional candidates
- Performance bonus (10-20% linked to revenue and margin)
- Potential commission overlay for significant new wins
- Company car or allowance
- Pension and standard senior benefits
Career Progression
There is potential progression to full board-level Commercial Director with equity participation for the right individual.
Interview Process
23 stage process
This Role Is Not For
- Pure corporate managers lacking SME execution
- Individuals without deep negotiation experience
- Candidates unable to evidence margin improvement
Apply Now
If you are an experienced Commercial Leader ready to scale revenue, professionalise commercial processes and drive margin growth within an ambitious manufacturing business, we would welcome your application. For a confidential discussion, please contact DerventioUK and post your CV for consideration.
Commercial Director in Newtownabbey employer: Derventiouk Ltd
Contact Detail:
Derventiouk Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the FMCG and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company’s growth strategy and recent developments. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who’s genuinely interested in shaping their next chapter. Bring your A-game to the conversation!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Commercial Director, you’ll need to lead major pricing negotiations. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing contracts and margin structures. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Director. Highlight your P&L accountability and any experience in scaling revenue within SME environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our growth ambitions!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your negotiation skills and your track record in margin improvement. Let us know why you're excited about this scale-up opportunity and how you can contribute to our journey.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership approach. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a hands-on role while also being strategic. Share examples of how you've led teams to success in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Derventiouk Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L accountability. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue growth and improved margins in previous roles. Specific examples will show you mean business!
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
This role involves leading major pricing negotiations and contract structuring. Prepare by thinking of past negotiations where you achieved significant results. Be ready to share your strategies and the outcomes, as this will highlight your capability in a hands-on environment.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the FMCG and manufacturing sectors, especially in wellness and personal care. Research current trends and challenges in these markets, and be prepared to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to drive growth for the company.
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Style
You'll be managing a commercial team, so it's crucial to convey your leadership approach. Think about how you foster accountability and data-driven decision-making within your teams. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams to achieve ambitious targets in the past.